Michael Sternbach

I agree with MH that this is an interesting topic. It brings to mind what Alan Watt wrote on Zen. Watts thought of the necessity for strenuous cultivating practices (such as sitting in Zazen until you can no longer feel your legs etc) as a deviation from Zen's true spirit. To him, the key was understanding that there is actually nothing to reach for as you are Buddha already. I think you could call this a kind of self acceptance or self love, even though Watts would never have spoken in such terms. Watts was criticised for his "beginner's attitude" by Philip Kapleau in The Three Pillars of Zen. In this book, you indeed read about sesshin or zen seminars where the (Japanese) master is drilling his meditating apprentices like an army sergeant, constantly ordering them to give their utmost ("only half an hour left... Try harder to reach satori!!!") while at the same time reminding them that whatever enlightenment they may reach, it will be far inferior to Buddha's, anyway, no matter what they do... I have been practising Zazen and various kinds of qigong/internal martial arts, and I can say that these techniques do strengthen and develop your subtle energy system. Bear in mind that individuals are continuously going through stages of an alchemical process, to whatever degree and effect, as are the whole Earth and Universe, whether they are aware of it or not. Cultivation practices can structure and amplify this development, but should be done in keeping with nature or the Dao.

Sorta rare on OKCupid, this combo, I have heard.

That's all very insightful. Do you believe there are external demons as well?

And for the ones who need to take it that far, the Pit, the way it is, is just fine, IMO. I, for one, like the humorous title. Although I like Songtsun's anarchistic spirit too. Constructive debates are an important function of forums.

How about "the Battlefield"... Or "the Wasteland"?

The modern Sagittarius.

What else would I invoke the Thelemic rhino for - ? Only there is no evidence for that. The thing is, Shorinji Kempo doesn't resemble much Northern Shaolin styles, and I guess those are the one claimed as its direct predecessors. The grappling techniques were admittedly adopted from Aikido/Aiki-jutsu rather than from Chin na. While the striking/kicking techniques resemble modern Japanese sport Karate more than anything else. Matsamura Seito Shorin Ryu was also highly influential in the revival of Kyusho-jitsu, or the art of vital point striking. The Shorin Ryu styles are more directly influenced by the Southern Shaolin styles, especially (but not only) by White Crane.

As two primary measures you suggest: Supplying modern Western medicine. While it can be valuable regarding certain acute situations it should not be forgotten that our orthodox Western medical system has its severe drawbacks regarding the chronification of illnesses and the economical system. On the other hand, Homeopathy has dramatically proven its unequaled efficiency i.e. in cases of epidemics over hundred years ago, and probably not least for that reason is very popular in India. Providing education. Well, that depends on what you think we need to teach them... Oh yes, absolutely, along with a bunch of other things!

Perhaps Laotzu doesn't see that as a contradiction. I imagine he might say that the king is following (his) nature by manipulating people.

Okay, I take your word for this. They are also the materially poorest countries. Is their population growth just because they don't have sufficient access to Western methods of birth control? I doubt it. I suspect there is a biological program causing humans to reproduce more if the survival of any of their children cannot be taken for granted. Let's see what he says...

It's too bad that the latter leads to the former eventually. Solutions must go a little deeper than what you are proposing here - and that goes for all of humanity's challenges.

Hmm... Health services rather tend to prolong life expectancy. This is a great thing per say, but they don't exactly contribute to reducing global population. But ok, educating women so that they can become parts in the wheel work of Western style imperialistic endeavours may actually help controlling population growth as it will keep those women away from having babies. What's that about cultural change? We should change their culture?

Agreed. Dropping free condoms on third world countries will hardly be enough. We may well have different ideas about what kind of actions should be taken to help improve their conditions. I don't doubt your good intentions but the gradual globalisation of Western technological comfort does have its problematic side, not least in its effects on the environment.

Actually, I also usually stand in a somewhat higher horse stance than the lady which, in a version facing the opponent with the side, is employed as a "ready stance" by most Kenpoists. Personally, I prefer a variation thereof with the back foot turned slightly forward and resting on its ball, as this gives me far more mobility in all directions than the traditional fighting horse. More like a a slightly enlarged hourglass stance (for starters). If you get the idea... ? Also, I will be holding my hands up near my face, whining something like: "I'm sorry man, I really dun wanna fight", while loading that smash hit to his face. But as you say, functionality varies with the purpose, and if I were to smash through a stack of boards with a sidewards elbow strike, a comparatively deeper horse stance would be preferable.

Ok, you guys asked for it... A (reasonably) functioning type of horse stance - Kenpo style! Not many useful videos on this out-there on Youtube but these two lovely ladies demonstrate it nicely:

Imho, this looks pretty much like modern Japanese tournament Karate, with some Aikido/Aiki-jutsu thrown in, although the latter part seems to be limited to choreographed demonstrations. Just telling from this video. But to each their own. Edit: I call that style of Karate the "black and blue mark" way of doing it which is far different from the down to earth and combat proven Okinawan styles. Nungaaaliii!!!

Yeah, sometimes we need to take a leap of faith...

Yes, I do. Although I have been well aware of most of what the dude is saying for quite some time already. But the insight that techniques needed to get categorized in order to teach them to large groups explains something that I was probably subconsciously wondering about. That's what many a "master" seems to have thrown in their opponent's face first off.

I have no doubt that some practitioners can manifest the immovable body to an astonishing degree whatever stance they are in. All I am saying is that the horse stance is structurally weak to the back and front, as far as physics are concerned. That surely sounds interesting but is difficult for me to visualize. Some truth in that. But dropping into full splits and expecting your unprepared and naïve students to do likewise?

Standing in horse stance for a prolonged period of time is certainly a demanding isometric exercise for strengthening the legs which are providing the base for any technique. That's on the physical/muscular level, now, but I don't wish to imply that such training doesn't go beyond that. I'm not sure if we are talking about the same thing here. Horse stance just doesn't allow for any appreciable hip rotation unless you shift into a forward stance. Moreover, as any stance's weak spots in terms of balance lies on a line perpendicular to the line connecting the feet, the horse stance is weak toward the back and front of the practitioner while extremely stable sideways. That's why its practical application is limited to delivering techniques sidewards or at 45° under almost all circumstances. LOL Yeah, sometimes you have to learn the hard way that something the teacher shows may just not work for you. A torn sinew is a debilitating injury that takes quite some time to heal, and a teacher worth their money should be aware of the particular weaknesses and strengths of their students.

I have actually seen more absurd interpretations of martial arts forms (kata bunkai) than what you are suggesting here.

Forward punching in a horse stance may be a useful exercise but has little combat application, imo. Avoiding a sword strike by dropping into a low horse and punching in a forward direction presupposes that your body was fully turned towards the attacker to begin with. Okay, maybe it's your best bet if the attack comes as an absolute surprise (like somebody stopping you to ask what time it is, then suddenly drawing a sword. ) Chances are, the opponent will come back with another strike in no time while you are glued in place. Or kick/kneel you in your wide open groin. Yes, maybe your punch keeps him from doing that. But another problem with that posture (if we are talking combat) is that it hardly allows for any hip torque (read: punching power) in a forward direction. I always try to keep one leg forward, with the foot and knee turned inward to cover the groin. It's called a power stance or hourglass stance. Many styles have this, from Goju-ryu Karate to Taijiquan. I also use a comparatively high and flexible horse stance, but only at a 45° angle to the opponent, as a transitory stance. It allows shifting into a forward stance and others. And before somebody suggests it, ducking a punch by dropping into full splits and retaliating from there isn't practical either - unless you are Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Actually, I didn't say anything about secret governmental agendas or chemical imbalances. Looks like my comments got mixed up with those by some other posters. But now that you have mentioned these things: I agree with you that the factors involved are very complex, and several explanations may hold true simultaneously on different levels. This also applies to the Feminist movement, there is no singular reason for it. However, it is quite obvious that calling the female half of the population to the work places was in line with the economic growth project of the so-called progressive societies as opposed to certain traditional values such as providing children with supportive family structures.

Well, Gaia might find it preferable to causing this kind of imbalance: That's what happens when a species becomes too dominant...

Whether homosexuality has increased during past decades or only the awareness of it may be a matter of debate. Anyway, before I saw this thread, it had simply crossed my mind that such an increase could be an effective way for Gaia and/or the collective unconscious of the human species to decrease the rate of population growth. That's all I said. I knew that it would be controversial though.